The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-06-25

1t happened that while patriotism and whisky
were firing the hearts of the pioneers, solitary
horsemun came ploding along the rough track
of Zane's trace. He was bound for Chilicothe
but seeing the little group of festive spirits
celebrating the day, he halted, and asked what
the merry making was about. The stranger was
greeted cordially. and invited to alght, partake
of refreshments and whisky. He was asked the
usual questions of the day. where he was going
and whence he came He told his questioners
that he was from Virginia, and was going to
Chillicothe; and that, II he liked the country,
he expected to move his family out.
The traveller was invited to become one of the
Lancaster settlers The advantages Of the
Hooking Valley were exploited and every thing
good was claimed for it, But the stranger had
his mind fixed upon Chillicothe and could not
be turned from his purpose to go there. Final
ly he was told that there were ''better men" at
Lancaster than Chillicothe. The traveller had
friends in the Scioto Valley and he disputed
the assertion that the men there were in any
wise the interiors Of those about Lancaster
Whisky was working upon all OF the disput-
ants and the traveller finally REMARKED that
when he reached Chillicothe there would be
better men there than Lancaster could boast
Of This utterance was construed into u banter
and the fight for which they all were spelling
came off.
A man to contest with the stranger was Sc.
lected, and ring formed about them. The
contestants stripped and Went at it without ref.
crcnce to 'rulcs of the ring" 1t was anything
to beat. They kicked, struck, bit cholSed, and
pounded each other till the traveller, utterly
exhausted and covered with blood was com
PEELED to cry enough
After the combatants had been washed and
their wounds dressed they shook hands around
and the stranger remarked that there were US
good men in the Hooking as he cared to en-
counter and that he believed he would settle
there.
The Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist and
Catholic Churches have always been strong in
Fairfield County, and local churches were or
ganized mt early dates. The Roman Catholic
Church has n good foothold and there were
many excellent Catholic families among the
pioneers. Some of the smaller religious socie.
ties have fiourished in the county, notably the
Dunlicrs and Mennonites.
| The latter, the Omish Mennonite Church, was
| established by Swiss Catholic priest in 1885.
| The name of the priest. who became dissenter
| shortly before promulgating the new doctrine,
was Simon Menno.
| Jacob Amen, also a native of Switzerland,
taught the doctrines of Menno and secured
many followers In 1913 it was estimated that
the number OF Mennonites in the United States
| reached l25,OO.
The Mcnnonitcs administer the right of bap.
tism by pouring They hold that war is forbid
! ben by God. They will neither take an oath
nor resist force. They never permit one of their
| people to become public pauper but provide
for their poor within the church. The Mennon-
| ties assume the plain apparel OF the Friends
| They are an honest, sober, frugal and industrial
| people, and have always commanded the re-
| spect of the communities in which they live.
| The Dunkers have two or three churches in
Fairfield County. 1t is society that has a
| large membership among the Pennsylvania Ger
mans. and their life has been beautifully de
scribed in recent romance called KATY OF
Catoctin." The men generally wore long boards
and they celebrate the Lords Supper with q
washing Of feet and other peculiar observances
Like the Friends, they are inclined to peace and
righteous living. They do not believe in war
and will not take interest for money which they
| loan.
The old courthouse, picture Of which is re
produced in this article, is the one in which the
famous lawyers OF Lancaster made many o.
their best and most memorable plcas.-F. b
LOonis, IN Cincinnati COD,H,erctai Gazette.